Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Respond to Tree of Life shootings today

The Regional Council of Churches has great affection and appreciation for Atlanta’s Jewish community and the strong civic contribution of Atlanta’s rabbinic leadership. We stand in solidarity with those Jewish friends in outrage and grief over the hate-inspired violence in Pittsburgh. We are praying for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and Atlanta and we are eager to work together for a more loving future. The Rev Dr. Dock Hollingsworth

We’ve not sent three emails in a week to our eNewsletter list before. We sent two the week the levees broke in New Orleans; we were helping house evacuees. We hope we do not ever have to again.

Last week was full of hate expressed in proposed legislation, in jeers, in the media, in threats toward several different groups. And tragically there was hate in action in the postal system and in Kentucky, as if it were all a prelude to the monstrous Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Squirrel Hill, Pa. This morning at an interfaith gathering at The Temple in Atlanta, a wise Rabbi said that his people feel threatened, vulnerable, and isolated. It is good for us to acknowledge that we are one people and to express openly our faith that hate cannot win, that love will win.

But, today, and tomorrow and this week is the time to reach out with a word or gesture to the synagogue in your area, to your Jewish neighbor—a word or gesture that says, “You are a valuable part of our community.” A note, an email, some art work from a kindergarten class or your children, a phone call, a small bouquet, or a pot of mums, . . . say you care, express love now. If you do not know the name of a synagogue near you just ask me. The Jewish Federation has sent us a list. We will get right back to you.